Has anyone else heard anything further about Barton? Over and above, that is, the general background chatter that has been going on for yonks.

On Tuesday, Dimes opined that a decision would be made within "two to three days" (apologies if I misinterpreted what he said, but it sounded pretty clear to me) and, using the fingers of both hands and a couple of toes, I reckon that "two to three days" ran out at midnight last night!

No matter what you say, or how you say it, someone somewhere will deliberately go out of their way to be offended.

FWIW I tweeted Swanny earlier in the week. As part of his reply he wrote (in block capitals) 'if we move' I replied to express surprise as I thought the move was a done deal and Swanny replied to say that it was not. I kept my counsel at the time as, at the moment, I am not sure what to believe!

You remembered right Ibozz, he def. said in an answer to my question about the timetable, that it all had to be agreed with Premiership Rugby by end march and for the audit to take place on the ground, the decision to move had to be made in the next 3 days i.e. by yesterday ! I thought it may have been announced last nt. but perhaps not in the eventual circumstances !!

LJK4SaleYou remembered right Ibozz, he def. said in an answer to my question about the timetable, that it all had to be agreed with Premiership Rugby by end march and for the audit to take place on the ground, the decision to move had to be made in the next 3 days i.e. by yesterday ! I thought it may have been announced last nt. but perhaps not in the eventual circumstances !!

What's to stop the Premiership Rugby audit taking place before we have committed ourselves one way or the other? If Barton gets the OK from PR but the commercial side then doesn't work out, then we have EP as a fallback position.

I Didn't miss it, thought that it could be good news, but there are so many conflicting stories there didn't seem much point cracking open the champagne (which went somewhat flat last night anway) until it was confirmed.

It's also worth bearing in mind staff are often the last to hear about such things, especially if they're not amongst those lucky enough to still have jobs.
The few i have spoken to don't think they will have jobs next year.
Rumours and counter-rumours (clutching at straws) abound in such circumstances. Just like on here!
It suits CS not clarify, so as to minimise dissent.
Logically
The Barton Stadium holding company will have it's own systems, contracts and personnel in place for most forms of matchday employment. Reds will have sought positions for as many of their staff as possible. We're third in, almost a year too late.

Anticipate this week we should hear about the move so Salford v Wigan this friday seems an attractive way to experiment finding/ experiencing Barton with ear to Sale at Newc match.
Sent email/the intention to renew STH (x4) of our group with our concerns of travelling up from Staffs to Swanny. Prompt professional reply from him- if Dimes is doing too much - feel for Swanny who can't be getting home too early every day at present.
Determined to enjoy my rugby and support the team whatever the obstacles.

Prop at WorkI also heard (but don't know if true) that the SSSC Committee have been shown around - but surely they would have reported back if they had...or perhaps they did and I missed it (apologies if so).

Not sure if l understand the purpose of the committee tour unless they expect them to act as tour guides when at some point the great unwashed are asked to attend.Or perhaps it so that the committee get first dads at the good seats

I have been quite vocal about not being able to go/get to Barton. I was unable to attend the meeting with SD as I had another prior arrangement which I could not cancel. It was nothing to do with lack of effort on my part. I had made a commitment and had to keep it.

I've been a Sale supporter for 8 years or so, and have followed this site for many years.

A couple of bits of information which I can provide which may or may not be of some use to some of you.

- Stewarding for events at Barton are provided by G4S or Group 4 as they were previously known. (I currently work for them) They will provide stewarding for all events at Barton including sporting and music events. Stewards at Edgeley Park are not provided by G4S as far as I know.

- Matchday staff (ticketing, operations) at Barton are employed by "City of Salford Community Stadium Company Ltd". Hospitality and Catering staff are employed by Azure catering who I believe have a 10 year contract with the Stadium Company.

- Ticketing is provided by Ticketline however there was a cross over when Salford first moved in with their system. From what I heard Salford sold season tickets using a large chart with sticky labels (Which did work) until TicketLine starting selling already allocated seats which involved several seats having two occupants.

- Transport is pretty chaotic and has not really improved since the pre-season games. If you have no trouble walking, the 2 mile walk (35mins brisk walk) to Eccles Tram Station is an option.

You might well be correct in that it's 'seagull management', but equally he is no doubt fairly busy.
One should also bear in mind he may have to seek permission from the chief organ grinder/pied piper*.

* or other euphemism/idiom of your choice, in reference to his line manager.

For several editions of the programme, a few years since, there was a startling photo of Bedazzled, Another Didsbury Shark and yours truly all waving flags at, I think (but maybe wrong), a Kassam Stadium game.

It disappeared after a few airings, to the obvious disappointment of our many fans, possibly when the programme editor realised that the flags were those of Sale FC and not Sale Sharks!

I still have my flag in the garage waiting for another airing!

No matter what you say, or how you say it, someone somewhere will deliberately go out of their way to be offended.

I have been told today ,by someone who works at E P, that Sharks are going to Barton for next season. The only problem is how, we ,the supporters are to be told. With me it will be simple, all they have to do is say "we are going, goodbye".That will be 2 extra season tickets they will have to sell.I think I will use the savings to buy a subscription to ESPN so that I can watch Friday night rugby in the comfort of my own home!

Just a thought, surely Dimes will be doing all of the stewarding at Barton, and manning the turnstiles, all whilst posting on this board, running the team, and cleaning the changing rooms at Carrington. There is a rumour that he may delegate "programme selling", but experts consider it unlikely.

brilinI have been told today ,by someone who works at E P, that Sharks are going to Barton for next season. The only problem is how, we ,the supporters are to be told. With me it will be simple, all they have to do is say "we are going, goodbye".That will be 2 extra season tickets they will have to sell.I think I will use the savings to buy a subscription to ESPN so that I can watch Friday night rugby in the comfort of my own home!

Will be putting the savings towards a newer car. Was in two minds whether to buy 1 season ticket for Barton, but sharing it with my Partner, and swap half the tickets for the top games, as long as the club still allow ticket swapping.

Whilst I expect that the number of posters who use this site is relatively low, I suspect their views are fairly representative...and that suggests a pretty material drop in season ticket renewals for next season.

GIK... the number of posters who use this site is relatively low, I suspect their views are fairly representative...

I'm not sure about that GIK.

Generally those who disapprove of anything are more likely to take the trouble to express that disapproval. Those who are happy or pretty unconcerned, less so, especially if they feel their opinion will be unpopular!

Nevertheless, I agree that there'll be a sizeable group of disappointed people including me.

I was more referring to the amount of unofficial straw polling of near neighbours and friends at EP. The season ticket holders left and right of me and my lad, in the cheap seats, won't be renewing. And stories suggesting 2 hours to exit car parks is hardly likely to encourage the undecideds, or make it likely I'll be bringing the kids next year.

I can only assume that was meant to be published yesterday, 1st April.

Although it notes that the deadline is passed, there seems to be little acknowledgement of the contradiction involved in the dates, and certainly no attempt at trying to explain how it will be overcome.

I read something earlier, on twitter I think, that said rather than it having to be sorted by the date mentioned above, that's when a new stadium has to be "nominated" (or something like that) to the RFU.
So Sale would have had to say "We're thinking about playing at Salford Stadium" by then, so the RFU can make sure it meets all of their requirements, but then Sale can still turn round and say "you know what, we'll stick where we are"

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